Key Takeaways

  • 75% of U.S. employers use automated applicant tracking systems to screen resumes before a human reviews them (Harvard Business School & Accenture, 2021)
  • The most common ATS failures are missing keywords, incompatible formatting, and incorrect file types
  • ResumeGeni scores your resume across 8 parsing layers — modeled on the same steps enterprise ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, and Taleo use to evaluate candidates

How ATS Resume Scoring Works

Applicant tracking systems parse your resume into structured data — extracting your name, contact info, work history, skills, and education — then score how well that data matches the job requirements. Many ATS rejections happen because the parser couldn't extract critical fields, not because the candidate wasn't qualified.

LayerWhat It ChecksWhy It Matters
Document extractionFile format, encoding, readabilityCorrupted or image-only PDFs fail immediately
Layout analysisTables, columns, headers, footersMulti-column layouts break field extraction
Section detectionExperience, education, skills headingsNon-standard headings cause sections to be missed
Field mappingName, email, phone, dates, titlesMissing contact info is a common cause of immediate rejection
Keyword matchingJob-specific terms, skills, certificationsKeyword overlap affects recruiter search visibility and ATS scoring
Chronology checkDate ordering, gap detectionReverse-chronological order is expected by most ATS
QuantificationMetrics, numbers, measurable outcomesQuantified achievements help human reviewers and some scoring models
Confidence scoringOverall parse quality and completenessLow-confidence parses get deprioritized in results

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ResumeGeni free?
Yes. ResumeGeni is currently in beta — ATS analysis, scoring, and initial improvement suggestions are free with no signup required. Full guidance and saved reports may require a free account.
What file formats are supported?
PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, RTF, ODT, and Apple Pages. PDF and DOCX are recommended for best ATS compatibility.
How is the ATS score calculated?
Your resume is processed through an 8-layer parsing pipeline that extracts structured data the same way enterprise ATS platforms do. The score reflects how completely and accurately your resume can be parsed, plus how well your content matches common ATS ranking criteria.
Can ATS read PDF resumes?
Yes, but not all PDFs are equal. Text-based PDFs parse well. Image-only PDFs (scanned documents) and PDFs with complex tables or multi-column layouts often fail ATS parsing. Our analyzer will flag these issues.
How do I improve my ATS score?
Focus on three areas: use a clean single-column format, include keywords from the job description naturally in your experience bullets, and ensure all sections (contact, experience, education, skills) use standard headings.

ATS Guides & Resources

Built by engineers with 12 years of experience building enterprise hiring technology at ZipRecruiter. Last updated .

Applications Engineer

Marquardt Group · Cazenovia, NY, US

The Applications Engineer is responsible for performing activities related to the concepts, implementation, sales and launch of internal and external business. This position will be the link between the customer and the internal technical team. Essential Responsibilities: Work closely with Industrial Engineering team and customers to aid in defining and documenting the equipment and tooling requirements for new and existing customers. Provide feedback and guidance to the internal team to fill gaps based on market needs. Develop cost estimates for implementation of new and revised methods and processes based on customer needs. Participate in large engineering projects by completing multiple tasks. Direct external customer contact point. Develop and communicate a project specific solution based on customer needs. Work with the team to optimize the cost structure of the internal and external workload balance. Required Skills and Knowledge: Advanced computer skills, including the use of CAD software – required PLC software - preferred Thorough knowledge of manufacturing methods and processes, including flow, layout, automation, and assembly and production equipment. Thorough knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques and manufacturing quality tools and cycle time analysis Understanding of complex mechanical, control, and testing systems. Knowledge of design for manufacturing, including conventional machining and 3D printing. Basic leadership skills, including planning and organization, decision making, problem solving, and project management. Advanced verbal communication skills, including group presentation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees and customers. Ability to prepare complex written reports, specifications, costing estimates and other documents. Willing to travel both domestic and international when needed. Ability to comprehend complex verbal and written instructions. Ability to strive in both a teamwork setting and self-managed environment. A good attitude and an open mind. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. Experience with industrial components, applications, integration, and costing associated with these features is required. 3-5 years related experience in the field of assembly / automation. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Core Values We Admire: Integrity – You believe in honest and transparent communication internally and externally Flexibility – You enjoy a fast-paced, dynamic environment and remain positive and agile when plans change and evolve Partnership – You are an excellent team player who is able to build strong relationships and effectively partner with other team members to achieve results Innovation – You think outside of the box and share your ideas with the team to support new and game changing technology Pursuit of Excellence – You strive to be the best, in and out of Marquardt The Perks of Working at Marquardt: Innovative products and diverse customer base Competitive compensation and paid vacation annually plus personal time Generous benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance that start on your first day, as well as disability and 401k with matching Support and resources to continue your learning and development, including a tuition reimbursement program Supplier discounts on GM, FCA, and Ford Amazingly smart and fun teammates, and a management team invested in your development and success Company events such as picnics and holiday gatherings and supporting the community as a team The base pay range for this role is between $80,000 and $100,000, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.